Hello everyone,
I’m somewhat heat-sensitive. Until now, I have always lived in apartments that would get extremely hot in summer, despite maximizing shading during the day and ventilating strongly with rapid air exchange at night. Those were the days of my childhood spent in a basement apartment, where even in the height of summer the bedroom stayed pleasantly cool.
To get to the point: I definitely don’t want to deal with that in my own home. So, air conditioning is an important topic for me. My question is: what is the best way to maintain comfortable temperatures even in the peak of summer?
I have read that heat pumps can also provide cooling through underfloor heating, although the effect seems to be relatively mild. It’s also said that mechanical ventilation with heat recovery can be combined with cooling, but here, too, there are obviously fairly strict limitations. Finally, there is the conventional split air conditioning system, which certainly cools well but also consumes a lot of electricity. However, combined with solar panels on the roof, electricity costs should remain manageable since there is usually a surplus of electricity in summer that’s hard to use otherwise.
What would you recommend considering both cost and comfort? Maybe some combination makes sense, for example cooling with a heat pump via underfloor heating and additional cooling through mechanical ventilation with heat recovery – perhaps a moderate amount of cooling from two systems is sufficient in combination. Who has experience and can share knowledge and opinions?
Best regards,
HB1
I’m somewhat heat-sensitive. Until now, I have always lived in apartments that would get extremely hot in summer, despite maximizing shading during the day and ventilating strongly with rapid air exchange at night. Those were the days of my childhood spent in a basement apartment, where even in the height of summer the bedroom stayed pleasantly cool.
To get to the point: I definitely don’t want to deal with that in my own home. So, air conditioning is an important topic for me. My question is: what is the best way to maintain comfortable temperatures even in the peak of summer?
I have read that heat pumps can also provide cooling through underfloor heating, although the effect seems to be relatively mild. It’s also said that mechanical ventilation with heat recovery can be combined with cooling, but here, too, there are obviously fairly strict limitations. Finally, there is the conventional split air conditioning system, which certainly cools well but also consumes a lot of electricity. However, combined with solar panels on the roof, electricity costs should remain manageable since there is usually a surplus of electricity in summer that’s hard to use otherwise.
What would you recommend considering both cost and comfort? Maybe some combination makes sense, for example cooling with a heat pump via underfloor heating and additional cooling through mechanical ventilation with heat recovery – perhaps a moderate amount of cooling from two systems is sufficient in combination. Who has experience and can share knowledge and opinions?
Best regards,
HB1
If you want to install photovoltaic panels anyway, the costs are definitely manageable. You already mentioned that. So for me, this is the best option. Otherwise, be cautious during the house construction.
I would build using sand-lime brick, mineral wool insulation, and brick cladding.
Additionally, I would avoid having an occupied attic and place the bedroom facing north. Also, of course, work with shading for the windows.
That should actually be enough.
I would build using sand-lime brick, mineral wool insulation, and brick cladding.
Additionally, I would avoid having an occupied attic and place the bedroom facing north. Also, of course, work with shading for the windows.
That should actually be enough.
S
Steffen8016 Jun 2017 17:29Joedreck schrieb:
If you want to install photovoltaic systems anyway, the costs are definitely manageable. You already mentioned that. So for me, that’s the best option. Otherwise, be careful during the house construction.
I would build with sand-lime bricks, mineral wool insulation, and facing bricks.
Additionally, I would avoid having a living space in the attic and place the bedroom facing north. Also, of course, use shading for the windows.
That should actually be sufficient.
Problem: In midsummer... living room -> terrace -> garden... kids going in and out constantly...
No matter how well you insulate, the house will be warm. I just run the air conditioning and leave the terrace door open. That's it. Just like Americans do.
K
Knallkörper16 Jun 2017 19:40I initially planned a standard split system with one outdoor unit and three indoor wall units and have prepared quite a bit for it. Now, I’m not so sure it makes sense anymore because, unlike our old house (timber frame), we no longer experience overheating on the upper floor. A 52cm (20 inches) wall construction really does make a difference. We’ll see how things develop when there is a prolonged heatwave. I can place the outdoor unit on the garage roof and access the three potential bedrooms on the upper floor through the attic. I would recommend this setup as a preparation for anyone.
Here’s what I have considered for myself:
1: This summer wasn’t really hot yet. Neither was the last one. Two or three years ago, we had almost 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) for several days. Talking again with people who have well-insulated houses – there’s no need for more insulation, but the heat just stays inside and can only be partly vented out without air conditioning. Thick insulated masonry helps release the stored heat more slowly over time.
2: Ceiling or floor cooling only achieves small temperature fluctuations (also because condensation must be avoided). So, it’s not very effective if the house is regularly left open.
3: Cooling by ventilation is not possible because the amount of air is way, way too low.
4: Air conditioning consumes electricity, that’s true. The following can be calculated: a 10 kW system is sufficient for the bedroom, two children’s rooms, and the living room. The 10 kW is roughly calculated with an efficiency factor of 4. Additionally, there is a simultaneity factor of about 0.4 on average (meaning only 40% utilization because rarely everyone is home at once). If I calculate 1,000 operating hours, I get:
1,000h × 10 kW ÷ 4 efficiency × 0.4 simultaneity = 1,000 kWh × 0.21 Euro = 210 Euro per year -> that means less than 20 Euro per month. What would you be willing to pay for a cool home at 40 degrees Celsius (104°F)?
5: The 1,000 hours include heating phases. Another advantage of air conditioning is that it not only cools quickly and effectively but also heats quickly and effectively.
The system costs us about EUR 9,000 gross.
Would do it anytime again!
1: This summer wasn’t really hot yet. Neither was the last one. Two or three years ago, we had almost 40 degrees Celsius (104°F) for several days. Talking again with people who have well-insulated houses – there’s no need for more insulation, but the heat just stays inside and can only be partly vented out without air conditioning. Thick insulated masonry helps release the stored heat more slowly over time.
2: Ceiling or floor cooling only achieves small temperature fluctuations (also because condensation must be avoided). So, it’s not very effective if the house is regularly left open.
3: Cooling by ventilation is not possible because the amount of air is way, way too low.
4: Air conditioning consumes electricity, that’s true. The following can be calculated: a 10 kW system is sufficient for the bedroom, two children’s rooms, and the living room. The 10 kW is roughly calculated with an efficiency factor of 4. Additionally, there is a simultaneity factor of about 0.4 on average (meaning only 40% utilization because rarely everyone is home at once). If I calculate 1,000 operating hours, I get:
1,000h × 10 kW ÷ 4 efficiency × 0.4 simultaneity = 1,000 kWh × 0.21 Euro = 210 Euro per year -> that means less than 20 Euro per month. What would you be willing to pay for a cool home at 40 degrees Celsius (104°F)?
5: The 1,000 hours include heating phases. Another advantage of air conditioning is that it not only cools quickly and effectively but also heats quickly and effectively.
The system costs us about EUR 9,000 gross.
Would do it anytime again!
I find the calculation method interesting and understandable. I also consider the cost reasonable. On hot days, you definitely want that—maybe about 7 days a year. For those who want it, I think air conditioning is indeed the right solution.
I have a moderately insulated older building and in recent years the temperature has never exceeded 26/27°C (79/81°F). Still very warm, but compared to 40°C (104°F), it’s quite bearable.
Air conditioning is quite a luxury. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth the money—for me at least, especially with a limited budget. If I really wanted a way to cool down, though, that would probably be the most effective option.
I have a moderately insulated older building and in recent years the temperature has never exceeded 26/27°C (79/81°F). Still very warm, but compared to 40°C (104°F), it’s quite bearable.
Air conditioning is quite a luxury. Personally, I don’t think it’s worth the money—for me at least, especially with a limited budget. If I really wanted a way to cool down, though, that would probably be the most effective option.
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